opera essay

Many operas consist of many different content. Marriage seems to be a very consistent subject. A variety of joyful, sad, crude and sometimes even morbid scenes. In Le Nozze Di Figaro, the plot contains the main subject matter about marriage and a scandalous law called droit du seigneur, yet it keeps a comical and humorous scenario, which was quite interesting. While viewing this opera, there were many observations noted. It seemed to be around or after the French Revolution, due to their outfits, make up, and powered wigs. Also, one of the main characters that was still under the unwedded category had a faux beauty mark on her face. The atmosphere given was very male driven, with women fighting the urge of being in an uneasy state when the unwanted approach of sexual tension comes along. As for the acting part, actors had to adapt to their surrounds very quickly, while the stage around them adjusted quickly. There was a part that was meant to be a male but was played by a women (in the recent performance of course). The first performance for Le Nozze Di Figaro was in 1786 and it seems as if situations like this were realistic but not performed, so to produce it live to address infidelity must have caused a jolt in the reactions of the audience. The compelling multitasking of acting and voice in this opera seemed to be the foundation and inspiration for musicals and Broadway.

            Technology played a huge important role in the scenario. They used screens to project silhouettes of what seems to be a representation of atmospheric perspective, so that the “room” that they’re currently in can be the focal point. The creation of the room seemed to out of wood to become sturdy enough to pushed off of the stage when necessary. That purpose was possible considering there was room on the bottom for wheels. Also noticeable were strings hanging for stability it seems. Before act 1 there was another screen that covered maybe 2/3 of the stage for the introduction that did not include much props. Moments after they raised the screen and a well structured “room” with windows provided was already placed with one piece of furniture. The most discreet but yet functional technology that stood out, was the stairs underneath the stage that were used to lead up into the middle of the scene. The flooring doubled as stairs to the stage’s basement, making it nearly invisible when closed.

            Le Nozze Di Figaro’s plot could be a potentially quite a successful video game. Though the piece does have a happy and peaceful ending, the video game would not. The video game version of this should enhance the vengeance that Figaro has for the Count, due to the fact that he wants to lay with Figaro’s bride before there wedding night. Figaro would result to violence to end that rightful law of a Lord being capable committing droit du seigneur. The Count would take Figaro’s fiancé captive and would be kept in his mansion that is miles away from Figaro. Transportation methods would mainly be horseback riding to stay true to time and make it more realistic to the cgi animations.

            To give it an even spookier twist, giving an additional supernatural element to it would provide a different and more mysterious concept by including uneasy and restless spirits searching for a soul to hinge onto. The spirits are also capable to possess the individual, which gives access to a more powerful being, such as “powering up” similar to what happens in Super Mario. Therefore, it would create an intense stamina to have the upper hand when Figaro ends up battling against other spirits on the way to the Count’s mansion where he encounters an even stronger supernatural essence that is determined to demolish Figaro. The source to the aggressive force that is severely fatal to Figaro at the Count’s property, ends up being Sussana. Sussana, was involuntarily consumed by the restless souls that souls that surrounded her after all the years waiting for Figaro to save her.

            Since this opera ends in a peaceful, this video game contrasts that. Figaro is unable to cure Sussana’s possession and he is able to victoriously slaughter the Count and at that instant he burns the body so that his soul does not rise again. A devastated Figaro then takes his own life to attend the afterlife with his beloved Sussana.

In conclusion, the video game would be a story mode questionnaire concept where the choice and answers to the questions that pop up during the game by other characters, would be up to the player. There are other routes to play through this differently, though that ending would be the most ideal to end the long journey of the dramatic, morbid, yet beautiful story that contrasts the opera.